6. Win or lose

"What if something was actually wrong? Was he sick? dying maybe?"

My mind was racing with all manner of thoughts even as we stepped out of Eclipse, leaving a happy and content Rosy behind. 

She seemed to be getting along just fine with the guy she had met at the bar, so I didn't feel too guilty for leaving her. Still i knew that I hadn't heard the last of it and she was going to hold this over my head for a very long time.

The air outside was chill and moist, a stark contrast from the stuffy air that was inside the Eclipse with the stale smell of sweaty bodies that made eclipse eclipse. 

I stood under the bright spring sky relishing in the fresh air that sifted across my face for a while before finally making my way towards my car. 

"Dont you think it's best if we take one car?" Aaron asked, appearing beside me suddenly I almost jumped. At his arrival,  my mood soured instantly. 

"I'm not going to give you a lift if that's what you're asking," I replied snobbishly. 

"Eh, I was hoping that we both could ride in mine, that way Rosie can ride yours back." he countered, and I saw sense in what he said but I'd sooner swallow a hundred tons of rocks than admit that."

"You said it yourself.  Rosie is a big girl, she can take care of herself, so maybe the real reason why you want me to ride with you is so that you can strangle me, kill me, and dump my body at the side of the road when no one can see. Am i right or am I right? "

"As if you are even worth the trouble." 

"Excuse me?" I demanded starting to get upset.

"You heard me." He replied and I found myself clenching my teeth in anger. "Whether you live or die is inconsequential to me..." He continued "so why would I waste my time trying to kill you? I was just trying to be logical I mean, We were going to the same place, I just felt like it was unnecessary for us to take two cars, but if you don't see reason with me, then it's fine. It's pretty inconvenient having you in my car anyway. At least now I know that I can always count on you to be your normal bitchy self."

'I know you did not just call me a bitch." I returned, charging after him but he had already fished out his keys from his pockets and began heading for his car.

"Aaron, Aaron. I'm talking to you, come back here. Who are you calling a bitch?"

By the time I finally decided to give up the chase, I was already out of breath and Aaron had already taken off in his car, paying me no attention. 

I was so angry, I saw red. I wasn't even sure why I was so mad especially since I had been the one to annoy him first, but Aaron had a way of always pissing me off and bringing out the worst in me. I couldn't stand it, and I hated myself for it. Still, I wasn't in control of myself when I practically ran to my car and started it. I stepped on the acceleration because I couldn't even stand the thought of him being ahead of me, even if he had taken off first. 

Before long, I caught a glimpse of his convertible in the distance and I stepped on the gas pedal even more until I had closed the gap between us. I smiled with satisfaction as I accelerated even more and left him behind, wallowing on the dust but I didn't stop there. I kept speeding until I had put ample distance between us because I didn't want him creeping up on me from behind and stealing victory when I least expected It.

 

It wasn't a competition, but I wanted to get home before him. Clearly, he wasn't having it, because next moment he was by my side, struggling to get past me, but I wasn't gonna let him win either. This is the way things always were with us, we turn the most normal things into a competition, and I didn't even mind it provided I got to win. It was the most intense car race from Eclipse to the house, and I swear I had run at least three red lights, which is rare considering the fact that I was a very low abiding citizen. But again, ive already established that Aaron brought out the worst in me so there should be no surprise there.

By the time I finally got to the house, I'm sure I had accumulated at least four parking tickets, but I didn't mind because I got home before him, and that was the best win ever. The sweet euphoria of victory had me grinning like a fool until a few seconds later when he pulled up behind me, and walked right into the house without even sparing me a glance.

I was just as curious to find out what was going on with his dad, and why he had decided to retire so rather than throwing labs about my latest victory,  I followed him meekly into the house with a beating heart.